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Reds sign French starlet

By Mark Buckingham

LIVERPOOL have won the race to sign coveted French starlet Carl Medjani on a free transfer from St Etienne.

The teenage defender was on the wanted list of a string of leading European clubs but has opted to link up with young compatriots Anthony Le Tallec and Florent-Sinama Pongolle at Anfield.

Medjani visited Manchester United's training complex earlier in the year and was also being courted by Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Juventus.

His contract at St Etienne expired earlier in the summer and he admitted in February that he faced a tough decision regarding whether to stay in France or make an early move to a bigger stage.

The centre half is the captain of the French Under-18 side and is tipped for a bright future although Reds boss Gerard Houllier may consider loaning Medjani back to his homeland to continue his footballing education before blooding him in The Premiership.